Advise for new computer...

Question

I am considering getting a new Dell.  I currently have a Dimension 4100 which will be four years old in a couple of weeks.  The one I am thinking of purchasing is as follows: Dell 4700 Pentium 4 530 with HT Windows XP home 1 GB Memory 128MB PCI express x 16 ATI Radeon Video card 160 GB HD 3.5 floppy with 64 MB memory key Dual drive cd/dvd drive Sound blasterlive 24 bit advanced HD sound card 17' Flat Panel Display Dell A425  speakers w/ subwoofer   I use the computer mostly for personal home use etc only.  However my 16 year old son does play some games on it...  But this should be an improvement over the 4100 - shoouldn't it? Any opinions are very much appreciated.  Thanks.

AZtoSD · Answer

Almost certainly an improvement over the older 4100. I have a 8400 with very similar specs (see below) and I'm very happy with the performance. One thing to consider--you mentioned your 16 year old likes to play some games--the x300 video card (the only vid card option) is not that great for gaming. Especially the newest games like Doom3 and Half Life 2. Older stuff is fine, but that card is only a small step up from integrated graphics. I might be exaggerating a little--it'll get the job done, but not well. I know, my 8400 originally had one.

Price a 8400 with a x800 or 6800 vid card and see if that's still in your price range. Here's a tip--this link is to a coupon site that has a 30% off coupon for Dell systems over $1799. Also has one for 25% off systems over $1299. They're good until 11/29 if you're ordering soon, but not stackable with the 15% shown on the Dell site (you can't get 2 discounts, drat!). With one of these you might be able to get a 8400 with better graphics for the same price as that 4700 you were looking at.

http://www.xpbargains.com/dell_coupons/

Dimension 8400
P4 530 3.0GHz, HT, 1MB L2 cache
1GB DDR2 @ 533 MHz
Gigabyte 128MB PCX-5900
160GB SATA
16x DVD-ROM & 16x DVD+RW (dual layer)
SB Live! 24-bit
19" M993s CRT

Spunky4 · Answer

Thanks for your advise.  As a matter of fact,  Half Life is the game he plays the most.  The other one he plays a lot of is Counter Strike.  I'll check out those coupon links - thanks alot for those!  The graphics we have on this 4100 is a 32MB NVIDIA and he has mentioned wanting a better one a long time ago..... thanks again!

Spunky4 · Answer

I checked as you said about the 8400 with a 800 video card,  and with the 30 percent off coupon,  the system actually comes out a little over $100.00 less than the 4700 with the poorer quality video card!  Thank you so much!  My son will probably be grateful too.....

AZtoSD · Answer

Awesome!  The 8400 is a great rig.  Glad I could help.  :smileyhappy:

Chaga · Answer

AZtoSD, thanks for the tip about the site for the coupons! :-)) Is this the only way / site we can find coupons for Dell, or there are other places too?

AZtoSD · Answer

There are actually quite a few sites you can find these coupons. A few weeks back there was a 40% offer for the XPS gaming system that was available for only 12 hours. I missed that offer so now I check several sites religiously hoping they'll post another one like that (hang around the Dell Gaming board and the guys who got that offer are still crowing about getting $4000 uber-machines for the same price I got my 8400!). Here are the sites I usually check:

http://www.dailyedeals.com/free_online_coupons/dell.htm

http://www.xpbargains.com/dell_coupons/

http://www.techbargains.com/dellcoupons.cfm

They are all pretty much have the same, but on the off chance one might have another 40% offer, I check them all. If you do a Google search for "dell coupons" you'll find dozens of other sites too.

Happy Hunting!

AZtoSD · Answer

Nope, don't need a physical coupon.  When you're done configuring the system and go to the Cart screen, there'll be a place to type or paste the coupon code.  Click 'apply coupon' (or something like that) and then it'll show the discount.  Congrats on the impending purchase!

Chaga · Answer

I really appreciate your assistance. I have to upgrade my system, but I am still hesitating for the graphics card! As a photographer, I spend my days on photoshop, editing pictures (sometimes videos, and watching TV!); therefore, I need the best; but I am not a gamer! So, I can't decide whether I have to chose the high end such as ATI x800xt, or a 6800 GTO is as good for me; or even ATI 800? I was also hoping that Dell would introduce a new Dimension case for these holidays; 8400 is so boring and I hear some bad critics about it!

Have a wonderful X-Mass; and thanks again.

Chaga · Answer

Fantastic! Thank you so much! You made my X-Mass! :-)) I guess all I have to do is to put the coupon number; I do not need to actually have a coupon?! Thanks again!

AZtoSD · Answer

The most important items in your situation is the CPU and especially RAM. Max out the RAM, get as fast of a processor you can afford (don't worry about the 3.4 EE processor, it's not really worth the price as far as I can tell), then go for the most expensive card that you can get within your budget. DO NOT get the x300 because it's a lousy card (for games especially, but why take the chance). I think the x800SE will be fine, but if its in your budget, the x800XT is much better. You said you're not a gamer--but you never know when something might catch your fancy! I don't think the card matters much when it comes to photo and video editing, though so it probably doesn't matter.

As for the case...eh, not so pretty. But if I wanted pretty I'd get an Apple. :smileywink:

Chaga · Answer

Thank you again; you have been most helpful.

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Advise for new computer...

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